She started out famous—as queen of a wealthy nation at a pivotal time in ancient history—and her fame grew from there. During her reign, Cleopatra promoted herself relentlessly, making public displays of her power, her image as pharaoh and goddess, and her links with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.

After she died, Cleopatra's Roman enemy Octavian spread tales about her, unintentionally spinning her story into a legend. The legend grew through the writings of Plutarch, Chaucer, and Shakespeare, and through the many film versions of her story.


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